Jiao clinches 4-3 victory over Arizona

PROVO, Utah – Freshman Helen Jiao clinches a 4-3 home victory for BYU women’s tennis over the University of Arizona, Wednesday.

Jiao secured the home win for the Cougars in the No. 5 singles position, beating Wildcat Kayla Wilkins in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

The win improves the Cougars' overall record to 8-3.

"I am so proud of this team," said BYU Head Coach Holly Parkinson Hasler. "Our theme this year is to make it happen, and that's exactly what we did today."

The Cougars opened up the match with a 1-0 advantage after winning the doubles point. In No. 3 doubles, Helen Jiao and Anastasia Abramyan fell to Gitte Heynemans and Kayla Wilkins 1-6. Emilee Astle and Polina Malykh finished soon after with a 6-2 win in No. 2 doubles over Arizona’s Abby Amos and Tayla Zandberg. No. 1 doubles team Leah Heimuli and Kate Cusick Truman secured the doubles point for BYU with a victory over Kristen Prelle and Khim Iglupas 6-4.

The Cougars extended their lead to 2-0 when Astle beat Iglupas 6-4, 6-3 in No. 4 singles. Arizona picked up its first point of the match as Abramyan fell to Amos 1-6, 4-6 in No. 3 singles.

The Wildcats tied the score at 2-2 after Heimuli fell to Zandberg 5-7, 3-6. Malykh rallied in No. 1 singles with a three-set victory over Prelle 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to give BYU back the lead at 3-2. Jewell was next to finish in No. 6 singles, falling to Heynemans 4-6, 3-6 to tie the score back up at 3-3.

BYU starts West Coast Conference play this weekend on a three-game win streak. The Cougars were picked to finish sixth in this year's league race. 

WCC foe Saint Mary's comes to Provo this Saturday, March 14. The match between BYU and the Gaels begins at 10 a.m. MDT. Live stats and streams will be available through the BYU schedule page.

Doubles

1. Kate Cusick Truman and Leah Heimuli (BYU) def. Kristen Prelle and Khim Iglupas (UA) 6-4
2. Polina Malykh and Emilee Astle (BYU) def. Tayla Zandberg and Abby Amos (UA) 6-2
3. Gitte Heynemans and Kayla Wilkins (UA) def. Helen Jiao and Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) 6-1

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles

1. Polina Malykh (BYU) def. Kristine Prelle (UA) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.
2. Tayla Zandberg (UA) def. Leah Heimuli (BYU) 7-5, 6-3
3. Abby Amos (UA) def. Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Emilee Astle (BYU) def. Marie Van Aelst (UA) 6-4, 6-3
5. Helen Jiao (BYU) def. Kayla Wilkins (UA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
6. Gitte Heynemans (UA) def. Emma Jewell (BYU) 6-4, 6-3

Order of finish: 4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 5